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Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Aston Villa: Chairboys force FA Cup replay

Saturday 9 January 2016 22:06, UK

Joe Jacobson (2nd L) of Wycombe Wanderers celebrates scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot with his team mates
Image: Joe Jacobson (second left) of Wycombe celebrates scoring from the penalty spot

Remi Garde's wait for a win as Aston Villa boss stretched to 10 games as Wycombe Wanderers came from behind to draw 1-1 and earn a replay in their FA Cup tie at Adams Park.

Villa captain Micah Richards' first-half strike appeared to have set the Villans - who last won a game back in September - on their way to victory.

But the impressive Joe Jacobson levelled up the tie with a well-taken penalty five minutes after the interval, following Ashley Westwood's foul on Matt Bloomfield.

Neither side could find a breakthrough as the third-round tie ended level, a result which sets up a lucrative replay at Villa Park for Sky Bet League Two Wycombe later in January.

For Villa, their winless run stretched to 16 games in all competitions, Garde without a win in 10.

Wycombe squandered four fine openings in the first half, but refused to be overawed, keeping their composure to snatch the draw.

Aston Villa's Micah Richards celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup, third round game at Adams Park, High Wycombe.
Image: Villa's Micah Richards gave Villa the lead at Adams Park

Wycombe striker Garry Thompson missed the target despite Villa freezing after an initial clearing header from Jacobson's fifth-minute corner.

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Sam Wood's hesitancy to shoot at goal, despite having ghosted in behind the Villa defence, allowed Jores Okore to get in a last-gasp block.

Soon after Carles Gil made Wycombe pay for that wastefulness, cutting in off the right and setting up Richards, whose 22nd minute shot slipped under the grasp of Alex Lynch.

Micah Richards (2nd R) of Aston Villa scores his team's first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Aston Villa and Wycombe
Image: Richards (second right) saw his right-foot effort hit the back of the net

Villa failed to build on that advantage however, perhaps relieved to reach half-time with the 1-0 lead. Wood volleyed high and wide from point-blank range after Bloomfield's cross, handing Villa a real reprieve.

And Bloomfield split Villa open with a fine counter-attack pass on the stroke of half-time - only for the ball to remain just out of Wood's reach.

Just when Villa expected to push on, the problems which have led to the clubs awful showing in the Premier League resurfaced.

Wycombe Wanderers' Joe Jacobson (centre) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game from the penalty spot during the Emirates FA Cup, third round
Image: Wanderers' Jacobson (centre) celebrates his equaliser

Westwood's reckless aerial challenge on Bloomfield gifted Wycombe a penalty - which Jacobson lashed home from 12 yards.

It could have been two in as many minutes as Wood then saw a challenging volley cleared off the line by Richards as Wycombe exerted yet more pressure.

Villa eventually weathered the storm from the hosts and ended the game the brighter of the two sides.

HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: Micah Richards (R) of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mate Rudy Gestede (L)
Image: Rudy Gestede [left] was unable to replicate Richards' goalscoring feat, striking the woodwork

However, Scott Sinclair's decision to shoot at goal, instead of slipping in the better placed Leandro Bacuna, ended with Wycombe blocking his attempt on goal.

Rudy Gestede, anonymous for the first hour, saw a shot deflected onto the angle of post and crossbar in the closing stages but Wycombe stood firm.

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